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Our Vision
To be at the forefront in the accounting and financial services industry, and to provide our clients with the best possible outcomes.
The JPA Team
Jim Pickersgill | Managing Director + Butter Maker
Truth is, there isn't enough room here in this little square space to talk about Jim's extensive career and experience, so we created a whole new page just for him!
Click below to learn about the 'Jim' of Jim Pickersgill & Associates.
Ross Harrison | Senior Accountant
Ross is a Senior Accountant here at JPA. He specialises in tax returns and advice for individuals and small to large businesses.
His journey as an Accountant began in 2010 and during that time he has learned that every client is different and a tailored approach is the best way to go.
He loves helping people with all their taxation needs and aims to give clients a better understanding to make their lives a little less stressful.
Ross studied at Monash University where he completed his degree in Business and Commerce. He is also a Certified Practising Accountant (CPA).
When he’s not crunching numbers, Ross enjoys hitting the gym, hanging out with his friends and most importantly spending time with his wife and their dogs Bane & Zarah.
Katie Pickersgill | Senior Accountant
Katie qualified as an accountant in 2009 and has mostly worked in taxation and auditing services for Self-Managed Superannuation Funds.
Katie then went on to gain further qualifications and attained a Diploma of Financial Planning (Level 1) in 2017 and intends to pursue further studies in SMSFs & Auditing.
Like her great dad, Katie is proud to belong to a small rural accounting firm that is active in the community, particularly in advocating mental health and supporting anti-cancer charities.
Katie is an affiliate member of the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA), the Institute of Financial Accountants (IFA), and the SMSF Association.
When not in the JPA sorting everyone's finances, Katie enjoys reading, listening to music and writing. Oh, and when she gets the chance loves to travel abroad.
Christopher May | Accountant
Since earning his Bachelor of Business and Commerce in 2015 and starting his accounting career under the personal guidance of Jim Pickersgill, Christopher’s career has soared and he is recognised as one of our greatest assets at the firm.
He is a lover of the country landscape and his home on the rolling hills of Allambee South. You’ll find Christopher on his mountain bike or adventure motorbike, kayak fishing and working on his beautiful custom made cabinetry when he’s not at the office.
Christopher is also our Self-Managed Superannuation Fund professional.
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Melissa Whelan | Accountant
Having grown up and resided in Korumburra all her life, Melissa enjoys being involved in the community.
Melissa holds many voluntary roles in various organisations including Uncle Bobs Club, Korumburra Cricket Club, Korumburra-Bena Junior Football Club and has also been involved in the AFL Auskick program for many years.
In addition to all of this and a life with a husband and two teenage sons, Melissa started studying for her accounting degree as a mature student. What an achievement!
Syd Jackson | Gippsland Wealth Management
Syd Jackson is locally born and bred and he brings to JPA a variety of life experiences. After having taught in and directed school music programs both in Melbourne and locally, he has career changed by successfully obtaining degrees in accounting and financial planning. He is passionate about helping people and highly values connecting with financial planning clients. Syd certainly has been a valuable addition to the JPA team.
He is an active member of the local community and loves spending time with his wife and two boys on their small Meeniyan acreage. You may even spot him cycling on our country roads or participating in local music events.
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Chris Surace | Gippsland Wealth Management
Chris joined the JPA team after completing a master’s degree in Accounting and Finance at Swansea University in Wales and, before that, a bachelor’s degree in Physics. He has a passion for market and investment analysis as well as the psychology behind investment decisions.
He enjoys giving back to the community by volunteering amongst Melbourne’s Sudanese-Australian community to tutor in Maths and Science for primary and high school students. In his spare time, he likes to train Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and learn Italian.
Chris has been the most wonderful addition to the JPA financial planning team.
Veronica Greaves | NDIS Plan Manager
Veronica worked in the community for 15 years prior to having children. Her gorgeous kids and working on a 150 acre property in Koonwarra resulted in a break from the workforce. Veronica was keen to get make a comeback and after meeting with Jim, it wasn't long before she was recruited and now works 3 days per week with the JPA team. And when you meet Veronica, you'll quickly learn why.
She is empathetic and passionate about her NDIS role and loves being in a position where she can directly help others.
You may bump into Veronica on the rail trail where she escapes for a walk or jog and loves to getaway with the family on a camping trip.
Simone Cross | NDIS Plan Manager
Locally born and bred on a dairy farm at Leongatha South, Simones first job was as a Pharmacy Assistant in Melbourne before re-educating as a Beauty Therapist. Simone eventually launched her own salon which she ran for 14 years. This led to yet another career change as a Remedial Massage Therapist.
Simone now juggles massage therapy and working in the best work place environment ever as a NDIS Plan Manager. Simone describes the role as the most rewarding and interesting she has experienced and feels extremely passionate about this work and feels very blessed to be involved with the people in our community requiring this service.
When she is not at work Simone can usually be found in her garden and vegetable patch, or pounding the pavement or on the sand at Inverloch going for long walks.
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Linda Richards | Participant Service Officer
Linda grew up in the local region before enjoying time in Melbourne and eventually returning to Gippsland to raise her family.
Having worked in the supermarket industry for most of her career, Linda has enjoyed a shift to the 'aged care' industry for the last 4 years and is now with JPA working with the NDIS team.
When she is not playing taxi to her three active kids you'll find her in the kitchen creating some baked delights or sneaking in a quiet read.
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Leonie Smith | Bookkeeper
Leonie was born and raised on a Gippsland farm and has worked in administrative and bookkeeping positions in various industries for more than 38 years in the local area.
With a husband, two children and two grandchildren who she adores, Leonie loves to watch the local footy and heading away in her caravan to the beach.
Bill Oliver | Graduate Accountant
Prior to working at JPA, Bill had a career in professional sport both as a player
and coach of tennis and golf. He has a profound love for sporting competitions
and the outdoors, and you will often find him participating in one of his many
outdoor interests in and around Inverloch.
Bill’s journey to JPA came after studying as a mature age student at Deakin
University. Bill immediately took to accounting and is focused on improving his
skills every day. Although new to the industry, Bill has embraced the challenge
and is dedicated to continuous learning to better serve the Gippsland
community.
He has slotted into the culture at JPA with ease and says the light-
hearted and supportive atmosphere makes it a joy to come to work every day.
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Cecilia Holden | Bookkeeper
Cecilia and her family moved to Australia from Sweden in 2002.
Cecilia has a Degree in Marketing and Economics and worked in various corporate organisations, mainly in the marketing and training sphere.
Following an extensive career in the corporate space, real estate and small business ownership, Cecilia opted for a change and completed her Cert IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping. Upon completion, the final piece of the puzzle came together and she joined the JPA team. Lucky us!
Loving Gippsland life and all it offers, Cecilia enjoys spending time practising yoga, walking, riding and cooking up a storm with her family.
Karen Newton | Director of First Impressions
Karen has worked in the region for more than 33 years which is where she raised her children, and just like JPA, Karen recognises the importance of family.
She loves the team environment at JPA and looks forward to assisting clients to ensure they have the best experience possible.
Lisa O'Brien | Practice Administrator
Having worked in the travel industry for 25 years before beginning her career in the practice, Lisa is no stranger to organisation and impeccable customer service.
Lisa has worked for Jim since 2015 loves her varied role that incorporates customer service and business manager, administration, and human resources officer.
You'll catch Lisa on her bike cycling the rail trail when she's not at JPA and when she gets the chance, loves a quiet read too. All this, of course, is in addition to her #1 role of being a mum of three.